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For this collection we have chosen some of the most beautiful music from the dawn of the baroque era in Italy, by Monteverdi and his contemporaries. The composers include familiar names such as Frescobaldi, Merula and Grandi, together with the minor masters Nicolò Corradini, Benedetto Re and Archangelo Crotti, who share a gift for writing accessible, tuneful music for solo voice with obbligato instruments. On hearing us perform this repertoire, Catherine Bott described our blend of voice and cornett as that of ‘two soprano instruments’ matched ‘in dazzling duet’, and we hope this recording lives up to her high praise.

But don’t just take our word for it – here is what others have to say about Sacred Garland:

“What a great CD! Technically and musically assured, with a keen understanding of the idiom and displaying a wonderful sense of unanimity and ensemble, the virtuoso members of the Gonzaga Band perform this beautiful and ground-breaking selection of sacred works by Monteverdi and some of his unjustly-neglected contemporaries with passion, drama, style and panache. You must hear it!” Philip Pickett

“In the late 16th and 17th centuries the human voice and the cornett were highly valued by composers as vehicles for music of great expressivity on the one hand and considerable virtuosity on the other. This wonderful recording shows off instruments and voice to advantage... If you have enjoyed the few-voice motets of Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers, then this recording is for you!” Professor John Whenham, University of Birmingham

“CD of the Week” ABC Classic FM (Australia), w/b 17 August 2009
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"A ravishingly beautiful disc, bringing into deserved notice some of the lesser known Italian composers of the 17 C. Jamie Savan's superb cornetto playing [is] heard to great advantage… Faye Newton sings with purity and lovely tone, supported by leading early music specialists, who interpose solo instrumental pieces and duets. A CD to return to again and again." Musical Pointers
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"This recording shows once again how perfectly suited the cornetto was (and is) in blending with the voice. Jamie Savan has an open and bright sound which matches well with soprano Faye Newton… their combination (historically justified) is very satisfying… offers great technical facility and often dashing bravura… All works are performed masterfully by the Gonzaga Band." Historic Brass Society
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